A filter media block and filter element incorporating same are provided. Methods of forming a filter media block and filter element are also provided. The filter media block includes a block of filter media and an outer permeable layer. The outer layer provides support for the block of filter media.

A seal assembly for use with an access apparatus includes an integral filter and evacuation port for filtering of fluids, e.g., smoke, from an operating site and removing contaminants and/or odor from the fluids for release of the filtered fluids into the ambient atmosphere. The seal assembly may be a separate subassembly or component which is releasably couplable to the access apparatus or may be integral with the access apparatus. The seal assembly defines its own flow path independent of the insufflation mechanism of the cannula assembly, and is capable of filtering fluids even in the presence of a surgical object positioned within the cannula assembly.

Implementations described herein include a system for guiding medical waste fluid into a medical waste collection canister. The system includes a manifold and a filter. The manifold includes a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface in a first direction. The top surface and the sidewall define an interior chamber of the manifold. The top surface includes an inlet port and a vacuum port disposed therein. The inlet port connects to a source of medical waste fluid and the vacuum port connects to a vacuum source. The manifold can be formed from a first polymer. A filter is positioned within the interior chamber of the manifold and immediately upstream of the vacuum port so as to filter air flowing into the vacuum port. The filter extends away from the top surface of the manifold in the first direction and the filter is formed from a second polymer. The filter is fused to a surface of the interior chamber of the manifold or to a peripheral surface of the vacuum port so as to form a fused interface, and not merely a press fit connection.

An apparatus and a method are provided for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) home air filter to remove airborne molecular contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air within residential spaces. The HVAC home air filter includes a supportive frame having a shape and size suitable to orient the HVAC home air filter within a residential HVAC system. A filter medium is retained within the supportive frame to remove the airborne molecular contaminants and VOCs from air flowing through the residential HVAC system. The filter medium includes a combination of media layers configured to exhibit a relatively high filtration efficiency and a low air pressure drop across the filter medium. The supportive frame includes a plurality of elongate sections and corner sections disposed along perimeter edges of the filter medium to support the filter medium within the residential HVAC system so as direct air through the filter medium.

A filter media block and filter element incorporating same are provided. Methods of forming a filter media block and filter element are also provided. The filter media block includes a block of filter media and an outer permeable layer. The outer layer provides support for the block of filter media.

An electronic cigarette particularly adaptable to vaporize liquid material also having exhale filter function is disclosed herein. The exhale function is useful to prevent second hand smoke in an enclosed environment, for example. An innovative diverter valve assembly comprises a unique duckbill valve configuration diverting air through a cooker chamber and into a mouthpiece in an inhale function and diverting exhaled air around the cooker chamber in the exhale function and through a filter assembly. A preferred embodiment further introduces a unique shape to the smoking instrument being elliptical in the cross-section and tapering to proximal and distal ends.

Implementations described herein include a system for guiding medical waste fluid into a medical waste collection canister. The system includes a manifold and a filter. The manifold includes a top surface and a sidewall extending from the top surface in a first direction. The top surface and the sidewall define an interior chamber of the manifold. The top surface includes an inlet port and a vacuum port disposed therein. The inlet port connects to a source of medical waste fluid and the vacuum port connects to a vacuum source. The manifold can be formed from a first polymer. A filter is positioned within the interior chamber of the manifold and immediately upstream of the vacuum port so as to filter air flowing into the vacuum port. The filter extends away from the top surface of the manifold in the first direction and the filter is formed from a second polymer. The filter is fused to a surface of the interior chamber of the manifold or to a peripheral surface of the vacuum port so as to form a fused interface, and not merely a press fit connection.

A vacuum cleaning system includes a housing, a motor connected to the housing, a debris container, a filter assembly, and a stop. The housing defines an inlet, an outlet, and a receptacle. The motor is adapted to generate air flow through the housing from the inlet to the outlet. The debris container is slidable into and out of the housing receptacle. The stop is connected to the housing and adapted to inhibit mounting the debris container when the filter assembly is absent from the debris container.

A water purifier structure includes a container assembly and a buffer unit mounted in the container assembly. The container assembly includes a housing and a cap unit. The housing has a first receiving section and a second receiving section. The second receiving section of the housing is provided with a retaining portion. The buffer unit is mounted in the second receiving section of the housing and includes a positioning ring secured in the retaining portion of the housing, and a cushioning member mounted in the positioning ring. The cushioning member is elastically movable in the positioning ring. When the cushioning member is compressed by a force, the cushioning member is contracted and elastically deformed toward the second receiving section of the housing, to form a buffering force.

An apparatus and a method are provided for a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) home air filter to remove airborne molecular contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from air within residential spaces. The HVAC home air filter comprises a supportive frame having a shape and size suitable to orient the HVAC home air filter within a residential HVAC system. A filter medium is retained within the supportive frame to remove the airborne molecular contaminants and VOCs from air flowing through the residential HVAC system. The filter medium comprises a combination of media layers configured to exhibit a relatively high filtration efficiency and a low air pressure drop across the filter medium. The supportive frame comprises a plurality of elongate sections and corner sections disposed along perimeter edges of the filter medium to support the filter medium within the residential HVAC system so as direct air through the filter medium.